GREENVILLE, N.C. - The New Mexico State baseball team fell 3-2 to Illinois on day two of the Keith LeClaire Classic, Saturday, Feb. 23 in Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Both teams scored a run in the first inning with the score remaining 1-1 until the top of the sixth.  Illinois regained the lead after NM State failed on a pick-off attempt to put a runner in scoring position in the sixth.  The Illini would go up 3-1 in the top of seventh when NM State failed on another pick-off attempt, this time at third base to bring in a runner.

The Aggies scored in the bottom of the seventh when senior Kyle Phillips crossed the plate on a wild pitch.  NM State made it to the bottom of the ninth down by one but went down 1-2-3 to end the game.

Starting pitcher Christopher Bradley falls to 0-2 on the year after he lasted 5.2 innings with three strikeouts, two walks and two runs allowed (one earned).  Bradley has a 1.69 ERA so far on the year with 10 strikeouts and two earned runs allowed.

Offensively, senior Parker Hipp went 2-of-3 at the dish with a walk and senior Bobby Lecount  went 2-of-4 with an RBI.  Lecount leads the Aggies with a .421 batting average through six games.

The Aggies wrap up the Keith LeClaire Classic against host team East Carolina, Sunday, Feb. 24 at 11:00 a.m. (MT) in Greenville, N.C.  Live stats will be available online at www.NMStateSports.com.